iOS automation tool Apple Configurator updated to 1.1

Apple has update Apple Configurator, it's tool for automating iOS device deployment and assignment, to version 1.1. From the release notes, the new version:

• Improved reliability and ease of use when installing paid apps with Volume Purchase Program redemption codes
• A new preference to disable the automatic removal of apps or profiles installed by the user when a configuration is reapplied to a supervised device
• A new preference to disable reapplying a configuration each time a supervised device is connected to Apple Configurator
• The profile editor now indicates when a profile cannot be installed on a supervised device due to a missing value in a required field

The app is available on the Mac App Store.

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iPads beat laptops by $7... in annual electricity costs

A study by the Electric Power Research Institute has calculated that an iPad uses only $1.36 worth of electricity over a year. That's less than a 60W compact florescent light bulb, and a fraction of the usage of most laptops.

We aren't sure what the EPRI means by "Laptop PC." But a little back-of-the-evelope calculation for the iPad: 12 kWh/year ÷ 365 days ÷ 10W power plug = 3.28 hours per day of charging time. Sounds about right to me.

(via TUAW)

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Which Business Apps are integrated with MDM?

Typically two kind of business Apps are in demand:
1. File sharing apps
2. Communication apps(email,chat)
3. Anti Virus/Anti Malware apps(lets not talk about iOS here)

Has anyone seen or worked on such kind of apps integrated with MDM specially for authentication purpose.
Also any MDM which provides AV too, and for all the platorms.

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Lock out proxy settings?

Hi I am new to the forums and would like to know if anyone knows of a way or app that can lock down devices proxy server settings? I have contacted apple who say this isnt possible through xml files or the apple config tool so would like to know if anyone has come across any mdm software that can do this.

We use Ipads in Bank branches and do not want users (customers) to be able to in put a proxy server setting that could potentislly divert customer data to a personal proxy.

Any idea or comments would be much appreciated

Thanks
Carlie Mcnamee

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AirWatch Supporting Mac OS X

With this new release, IT administrators can maintain security across both iOS and Mac OS X Lion operating systems to ensure consistent policies and profiles throughout their organization. This new update also enables organizations to manage corporate liable, employee liable (BYOD) or shared Mac OS X Lion devices throughout the entire device lifecycle. As part of the company’s commitment to the Mac platforms, AirWatch plans to support the new features in Apple’s upcoming Mac OS X 10.8 release.

The initial OS X management release includes MDM capabilities for web-based enrollment; commands to remotely lock and wipe devices; and device and application list query. Support for profile management capabilities include:

• Passcode and policy settings
• Email (POP, IMAP, SMTP) and exchange settings
• Wi-Fi and VPN configurations
• Certificates and simple certificate enrollment protocol (SCEP)
• Lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP), calendaring extensions to WebDAV (CalDAV) and contact extensions to WebDAV (CardDAV)
• Webclips
• Custom profiles

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120611006567/en

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Check In/Out

Hi we currently have no iOS devices deployed and are in the process of acquiring iPads and an MDM. I have demoed several MDMs all of which have different odds and ends. We are a school district and have multiple users per device with 5 times as many unique users as devices. We were wondering if there is a MDM with an over the air Check In/Out type features or features that can be crafted to make a single user device elegantly resemble the unique user environment we have in our desktop environment?

Thank You

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iOS 6 Features for Businesses

Apple has announced iOS 6, in developer preview today and shipping this fall. The full keynote address is available. Several features announced, and/or visible from the presentation, are relevant to business. (Note the developer preview is covered by Apple's non-disclosure agreement. This site respects the NDA and we will discuss only publicly-announced information.)

Apple's voice-enabled "personal assistant" Siri is has received some tutoring. Already on the iPhone 4S, it is coming to the new iPad (3rd Gen.). It can now integrate with Open Table to make restaurant reservations, sure to impress your customers. And for business trips, Siri will be integrated into the steering wheel button for 2014-model cars from several auto makers.

Photo Stream, one of the most helpful innovations of iOS 5, now works with shared groups. Group members can then comment on photos. This is going to be a killer feature for field teams working with photos. Photo upload now works within web forms too (particularly welcome for bloggers like me!).

FaceTime, currently WiFi only, will work over cellular too. Expect your data caps to be hit very quickly. This may be a great time to plan centralized telephony management.

For meetings, the iOS Phone app (yes, it is an app) gets some enhancements as well. When a call comes in, you can choose to Answer or Decline, or "Reply with Message." There's also a "Do Not Disturb" feature to send all calls (except for favorites) direct to voicemail during particular times.

Mail gets a "VIP Inbox" and per-account signatures. Also password-protected Microsoft Office docs can now be opened.

In iOS 6 the Maps app includes turn by turn navigation, 3D maps, flyover, and Siri integration.

Accessibility is already fantastic on iOS, but even this gets improvements. Look for a kiosk mode to disable hardware buttons — possibility a useful features even for non-disabled users.

Finally, some little tidbits mentioned in a quick slide (shown above): IPv6 support over WiFi and LTE, global HTTP proxies ought to force corporate security policies.

iOS 6 is expected this fall, and will work with the following devices:

• iPhone 3GS and later
• iPad 2nd & 3rd Gen
• iPod touch 4th Gen.

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Connect with Mobile Iron/Air Watch

Hi guys, I am working for a software company, which is currently thinking about cooperating with MobileIron or possibly AirWatch. Basically my company is building a tool that allows people to create apps and we'd like to give users a "one click publish" to MDM products like Mobile Iron and AirWatch. I'm wondering if there's a way to connect the two systems to make this possible. For example, is there specific data we need to send with the app file to Mobile Iron or AirWatch?

A use case would be:

1. I create my app in my creation tool.
2. When I'm done I click a "publish" button.
3. The app is automatically saved up to the MDM.
4. The MDM administrator can use the normal process for that MDMD to
deploy it to users.

Some words please? Thanks a lot!

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Meetup for iOS Administrators June 21 in NYC: What's New from WWDC

Who Needs WWDC?

We'll have the latest news and gossip from WWDC straight from San Francisco. Connect with your fellow iOS masters, swap stories from the trenches, kibbitz about the announcements from WWDC, and get inspired.

Thursday, June 21

5:30p Event Begins and Bar Opens. We will have drink tickets compliments of our sponsors.
6:30p Brief Introductions from Our Hosts
7:30p Move upstairs Ace Hotel lobby bar

Check out our afternoon event, iPad® in Business Briefing: How To Increase Revenue & Improve Employee Productivity, starting at 3:30p. Register for that event separately.

Location

Ace Hotel (Liberty Hall)
20 West 29th Street at Broadway
New York, NY 10001

Our Sponsors

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Batch Apple ID Creator

Update 2013 April 23: Greg has released the Apple ID Automation Builder as the successor to this AppleScript. Please check that out too!

Purpose & Features

Deploying a great quantity of iOS devices means creating a great quantity of Apple IDs. This script allows automated Apple ID creation from a spreadsheet. Apple IDs are created without a credit card, which is great for many deployments. There is a "dry run" feature to test the script without actually creating the Apple ID.

Requirements

• IMPORTANT: Apple uses a velocity check to prevent too many Apple IDs from a single IP address. You must contact your Apple business representative to request that your IP address is whitelisted for a short time.
• Being AppleScript, this runs only on Macs.
• iTunes 10.7 is currently required. Future versions may break the script.
• UI Scripting allows us to script otherwise non-scriptbale interfaces. Turn this on in System Preferences > Accessibility and check "Enable access for assistive devices."
• Apple has strong password requirements. Account creation will fail if the passwords are too weak.

Instructions

A template CSV file is included. Fill out all columns, keeping the column headers, and save as CSV. Then run the script.

Security Questions

As of iTunes 10.6.1 Apple has required three security questions. The Batch Apple ID Creator allows you to choose the questions from the list below. Each question should be copied into the appropriate spreadsheet column (Security Question 1, 2 or 3) exactly as typed below.

Security Question 1

• What is the first name of your best friend in high school?
• What was the name of your first pet?
• What was the first thing you learned to cook?
• What was the first film you saw in the theater?
• Where did you go the first time you flew on a plane?
• What is the last name of your favorite elementary school teacher?

Security Question 2

• What is your dream job?
• What is your favorite children's book?
• What was the model of your first car?
• What was your childhood nickname?
• Who was your favorite film star or character in school?
• Who was your favorite singer or band in high school?

Security Question 3

• In what city did your parents meet?
• What was the first name of your first boss?
• What is the name of the street where you grew up?
• What is the name of the first beach you visited?
• What was the first album that you purchased?
• What is the name of your favorite sports team?

Known Bugs

Errors are not handled gracefully. Although some errors are recoverable, if the script stops, it loses track of its progress. Edit the spreadsheet to continue.

At the end of this script, Apple will send a verification email to the Apple ID. To complete verification, click the link in the message, then re-enter the account address and password.

Download

The files are downloadable from GitHub: https://github.com/aaronfreimark/Apple-ID-AppleScript Feel free to fork and improve.

Acknowledgments

This script was originally created by Enterprise iOS user Greg Moore, who works for Hope Public Schools in Hope, Arkansas. Aaron Freimark then updated the script to work with iTunes 10.6.1 and the multiple recovery questions. Discuss on EnterpriseiOS.com. This script or derivatives must not be sold. If you make it better, please give back to the community that brought it to you.

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